need advise

[tinman]

hello all members... just sold my beloved alfa 156 selespeed to a friend.....................a wonderfull car but had my share of head ache < gearbox and actuator pump> but still its one heck of a car> ....... :lol: now i am looking at two future candidates 328ci year 2000 unreg japan spec askin price 180 neg car stock standard wit 16 inch rim... just .. doubtfull on the mileage 20 k plus and a friend told me that topspeed of japan spec car is 180 kmh .....any truth in that............. second option 325i smg year 2002 local a b car .. mileage 70 k plus.... the owner trading up to e 90 330i askin price 190 neg..... my worry is there any gearbox problem?? cause the system i believe is similar to alfa s selespeed ..... i love udm and have driven my parents e60 530d e39 528i...both cars have not given them any big problems to date... so pl advice all ....sifu s out there... which to buy...328ci or 325i smg ... thank u...

 

[Alvin]

The CI is really a nice car if you are looking at a coupe. The SMG 1 is not the best. SMG2 would be really much better but that will only be in the newer cars. Speed limiter is really not a problem. Just get a software upgrade that will help improve the power or rather shift the curve of the current torque for better fun. Cost is not that high also.

As for the mileage, better to check at a workshop with a modic or GT1.
Cheers!

 

[tinman]

just tested the 328 ci ... car is really smooth and powerfull.... compared to my moms 528 i ...think because its lighter.... only thing i dont like is the number plate holder in the front and rear and no leather seat...car has three spoke steering wit multi function, climate control but no electric seats.....and standard 16 rims...alvin thanx for your reply... do u think 178 k is a good price to pay.....and since auto bavaria will not service this car... which mechanic u guy s to suggest to verify the mileage wit......thanks.... ineed to sort my car as my alfa is leaving on friday.... thanks again.

 

[tyke]

buy! buy! buy!

from an alfa to a bmw???good choice dude....
both r superb cars with their very own unique reputation.

as long as u dont decide to upgrade to another alphabet after tht??

1)alfa
2)Bmw
3)citroen?????

just kidding dude!
yeah the 328ci is a good choice mate.
or u can come by to tt and get good advice from our many sifus there!
rgds,
-brad-

 

[Overide]

well i personnally feel the smg is better.. i tried both but smg..wah lau!! nice mah.. :nyehehe:

 

[tinman]

guys the 325 smg... salesman bring it to my house later in the evening.................. will make up my mind once i test it..... my only fear is i had so much heart ache and $$$$$$$$ cost a bomb to repair the actuator :angry: ....... does 325 smg give similar problem,,,,,,, ask any 156 selesspeed owners.....they will tell u how bad it is...... i spent close to 18 k to change pressure pump and actuator.....three times in three years.... how reliable is bmw s smg..... advice please.... i know that it a manual gearbox wit actuator pump and ecu to change gear....its more fun too wit the f1 style gear change......sifu s out there calling on your expert opinion..... thanx..... cause what ever car i buy ..plannin to keep it atleast 3 years... or more

 

[c-square]

Originally posted by tinman@Aug 29 2005, 04:05 AM
guys the 325 smg... salesman bring it to my house later in the evening.................. will make up my mind once i test it..... my only fear is i had so much heart ache and $$$$$$$$ cost a bomb to repair the actuator :angry: ....... does 325 smg give similar problem,,,,,,, ask any 156 selesspeed owners.....they will tell u how bad it is...... i spent close to 18 k to change pressure pump and actuator.....three times in three years.... how reliable is bmw s smg..... advice please.... i know that it a manual gearbox wit actuator pump and ecu to change gear....its more fun too wit the f1 style gear change......sifu s out there calling on your expert opinion..... thanx..... cause what ever car i buy ..plannin to keep it atleast 3 years... or more

maybe you want to PM our forummer Zul (Dr Zul) of Melaka. He has a 325 SMG and I think he mentioned he had some problem with it lately. Good luck

 

[tinman]

hi guys..............tested the 325i smg.... car looks great wit smg bodykit and 17 inch rim.....smg gearbox is better than alfa s selespeed....quicker in up and down shift.......dont really understand the launch control thing...but personally only let down was the 2.5 l engine.... needs to be revved hard to get it goin fast...... low end torque not there at all......and the engine does not sound sweeet......compared to the 328ci i drove earlier today.... so much more pull at low end....... i dare to say... i feel 328ci auto feels so much quicker than 325i smg...... sifu s what do u guys think.... confused...325 i smg love the looks and auto bavaria car... so after sales no problemo..... or 328ci japan spec.. the only thing i dislike about is its japan style no plate holder front and rear. thanx

 

[Alvin]

Buy the SMG & supercharge it? or remap the soft ware. Software cost is probably like Rm2k. Japn specs mileage is something to look out for. You can go to various BMW specialist to the modic check.

 

[supergripen]

hey bro..good choice of cars.we got the same background..from alfa to bimmers!!use to have a 146Ti.
assuming that both cars checked out ok,i'd say go for the 328Ci(assuming u r a bachelor).car's got gobs more torque and the Ci looks extra nice plus its more exclusive.u can upgrade the bodykit to SMG ones later..or even m3 look!!
things u mentioned earlier about 16"rims and plate holders..well,those are minor things.u can upgrade those later..plenty of choices believe u me!
i can't comment about SMG cuz i've never owned one.but i've driven one and didn't quite like it..maybe u shud look at Dr Zul's thread about his problems with the SMG.

i drive a 328i and love riding the wave of torque available..driving fast is sooooo effortless..only downside is the roadtax.but if u can afford a rm180k car that shudn't be an issue..

and u can still select gears by steptronic..no sweat. :wink:

 

[Bruce_Z]

Originally posted by tinman@Aug 30 2005, 01:19 AM
hi guys..............tested the 325i smg.... car looks great wit smg bodykit and 17 inch rim.....smg gearbox is better than alfa s selespeed....quicker in up and down shift.......dont really understand the launch control thing...but personally only let down was the 2.5 l engine.... needs to be revved hard to get it goin fast...... low end torque not there at all......and the engine does not sound sweeet......compared to the 328ci i drove earlier today.... so much more pull at low end....... i dare to say... i feel 328ci auto feels so much quicker than 325i smg...... sifu s what do u guys think.... confused...325 i smg love the looks and auto bavaria car... so after sales no problemo..... or 328ci japan spec.. the only thing i dislike about is its japan style no plate holder front and rear. thanx

Hi Tinman,

If you are used to Selespeed, and youve tried the SMG (and still like it), then go for it. Ive owned a SMG for a year now (car is 3 years AB car) and so far no problems with the transmission. But you do need some time to learn to shift smoothly at slow speed btwn 1st and 2nd (you may not need much time as youre used to Selespeed), but its great otherwise.

The 325i engine is like that...needs to be above 3000rpm to feel alive, but once youre there..it really accelerates. With the SMG, you can downshift to 4th and use the 3000+ pwrband before upshifting. Frankly it does feel a little weird...its a little slow accelerating below 3k rpm but when youve passed it...its like neck sapping acceleration. I still am caught a little offguard when this happens...fun tough

Launch ctrl? Try it at the next track day....it gives you a feel of the F1 launch ctrl systems - burn some rubber.

 

[tinman]

hi guys.... just booked the 328ci....today...after testing it agian...it s love at second drive.... engine sound so sweet and prefer the lower drivin position of the coupe......plus the dealer will be throwin in leather seat s...as a bonus... black wit black interior...sweet...not goin to put m3 bodykit .. not goin to be pretenders..hehe....only thing i have to change is the indicator lights from yellow to white and rims....i cant wait for my new baby... having wet dreams already about her..haha...guys would love to meet up wit u guys next tt.....thanks for all the feed back s.

 

[eddiefiola]

buy! buy! buy!

from an alfa to a bmw???good choice dude....
both r superb cars with their very own unique reputation.

as long as u dont decide to upgrade to another alphabet after tht??

1)alfa
2)Bmw
3)citroen?????

i want to add......

1)alfa
2)Bmw
3)citroen?????
4)dadi????

 

[supergripen]

Originally posted by tinman@Aug 31 2005, 11:03 PM
hi guys.... just booked the 328ci....today...after testing it agian...it s love at second drive.... engine sound so sweet and prefer the lower drivin position of the coupe......plus the dealer will be throwin in leather seat s...as a bonus... black wit black interior...sweet...not goin to put m3 bodykit .. not goin to be pretenders..hehe....only thing i have to change is the indicator lights from yellow to white and rims....i cant wait for my new baby... having wet dreams already about her..haha...guys would love to meet up wit u guys next tt.....thanks for all the feed back s.

k: congrats on ur purchase..good choice bro!! u won't regret it..
now for some racun.. u need at least 17" alloys,though 18"s will look fabulous.then a set of lowering springs..eibach will be the best bet.
:nyehehe: